Kolisch



p 1954 E. KOLISCH EQUIPMENT FOR CALCULATING AND FOR RATING BY VOLUME,WEIGHT, DENSITY, AND ZONE 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17,

INVENTOR Ema; K 032.9071, Y

ATTORNEYS Sept. 14, 1954 E. KOLlSCH 2,689,082

EQUIPMENT FOR CALCULATING AND FOR RATING BY VOLUME, WEIGHT. DENSITY, ANDZONE Filed Nov. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllllllll I4 INVENTORwwwm ATTORNEYS p 4, 1954 E. KQLISCH 2,689,082

EQUIPMENT FOR CALCULATING AND FOR RATING BY VOLUME, WEIGHT, DENSITY, ANDZONE Filed Nov. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Shae: 3

INVENTOR Ilmz'l Kali/sch ATTORNEYS Sept. 14, 1954 E. KOLISCH EQUIPMENTFOR CALCULATING AND FOR RATING BY VOLUME, WEIGHT. DENSITY, AND ZONE v m&

mm aw Qm g QM %& C E Q wmm m mww Patented Sept. 14, 1954 EQUIPMENT FORCALCULATING AND FOR RATING BY VOLUME, WEIGHT, DENSITY,

AND ZONE Emil Kolisch, New York, N. Y., assignor to Continental SilverCo. Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationNovember 17, 1951, Serial No. 255,923

Claims.

In the rating of objects and packages, as for instance, for determiningtransportation charges by air express, post office, express, truck orother delivery service organizations, either the weight or the volume ofthe object or package may be the determining factor for the shippingcharge. Ordinarily the weight of the object forms the basis for suchcharge, but where the object has a relatively large volume and a smallweight, as for instance, boxed flowers, some transportation servicesbase their charge on volume.

In the shipment of objects by aircraft where the volume of the aircraftis fixed as is the weight carrying capacity which depends on thedistance to be travelled, it'is desirable that the volume and weight ofeach object to be shipped bear a definite relation to each other foroptimum loading of the aircraft.

Where, in order to determine the shipping charge, or the relationbetween volume and weight, an object must be measured by rule or tapeand the length, width and height multiplied to determine volume, whetherwith or without resort to multiplication tables, and the weight of theobject must be separately determined by placing it on a weighing scaleand the two values compared in order to determine which is the properbasis of charge or to determine the relation between volume and weight,such operaations are time-consuming, costly and subject to error.

In present practice the post office limits the overall dimensions of anobject, i. e. its combined length and girth to a given maximum amount.Where to determine this amount, it is necessary for the postofiice'employee to measure by rule or tape the length of the object andthen measure the width and height and multiply such dimensions by two todetermine girth and the length and girth are added to determine theoverall dimensions, such operations are also time-consuming, costly andsubject to error.

Where, to measure the length, .width and height of an object, aplurality of parallel connected resistances of values correlated withthe parameters being measured and designed to pass a combined currentproportional to the logarithm of the volume of such object, areconnected to feed such combined current into an electric indicatingdevice such as a meter having a logarithmic scale which is calibrated togive a direct reading of volume or of cost based upon volume, it isextremely difiicult to read the values of volume or cost at the crowdedend of the logarithmic scale and in addition fluctuations in the appliedvoltage will change the currents through the resistances so that theresultant readings will not be accurate.

Where, for a given volume, a given weight is to have the same monetaryrating and that relationship between volume and weight isproportionately maintained throughout the range of the equipment and aweighing scale is designed to place in circuit current limiting means orresistance correlated with the weight of the object, and the currentthrough such resistance is fed into an electric indicating device suchas a meter having a logarithmic scale which may be calibrated to readthe cost or the weight of the object directly, such meter will bediflicult to read and the indication will be inaccurate as previouslypointed out.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide asimple, expeditious and reliable method and equipment to execute thesame, with relatively few moving parts not likely to become deranged andwhich may readily be operated, automatically, speedily and accurately tomeasure the volume of an object and as accurately to indicate suchvolume by means of an indicating device having a linear scale, withresultant facility in reading.

Another object is to provide a method and equipment of the above type,which may readily be operated automatically, speedily and accurately tomeasure the volume and the weight of an object and as accurately toindicate such parameters by means of an indicating device having alinear scale, with resultant facility in reading, said equipmentautomatically rating such objects according to volume or weight and(based on a predetermined relation of the volume and weight, whichrelation may be varied at will), automatically determining which of suchratings, whether for volume or for weight, will be the basis forshipment charge of such object and automatically and accuratelyindicating such charge also on a linear scale, without the need formanually measuring the object, consulting tables or doing calculationsof any sort.

Another object is to provide a method and equipment of the above typewhich may readily be operated automatically, speedily and accurately tomeasure the volume and weight of an object and to compare suchparameters to determine the relation of volume to weight or the densityof the object.

Still another object is to provide a method and equipment which mayreadily be operated 3 automatically, speedily and accurately to measurethe length and girth of an object and to add such dimensions andautomatically and accurately to indicate the sum of such dimensionswithout the need for manually measuring the object, consulting tables ordoing calculations of any sort.

According to one aspect of the invention, each of the three dimensionsof length, width and height of the object is determined by the coactionwith such object of suitable measuring means, which, through electricalcircuits, automatically determines such parameters and the volumeclassification of such object. Simultaneously the weight classificationof the object is determined by means of a suitable weighing scale onwhich the object may rest while determining the volume classification.The classifications simultaneously effected of volume and weight areautomatically correlated, according to the invention, in such mannerthat within a given range of relationship between volume and weight, theweight controls the charge rating, desirably registered by a suitableindicating device, while outside of that range the basis of the chargerating is automatically shifted for volume to be the controllingparameter. In addition, such classifications of volume and weight may beautomatically correlated to determine the ratio of the weight to thevolume or the density of the object. According to another aspect of theinvention, the length and girth of the object is determined by thecoaction with such object of suitable measuring means which, throughelectrica1 circuits, automatically determines such parameters and addsthe same to determine the overall dimensions of the object.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the volumemeasuring portion of the equipment desirably comprises a frame having ahorizontal platform, an end wall and a rear wall, each having a slidablemeasuring member which may be moved to engage the extremities of theobject to determine its maximum dimensions such as its width, height andlength respectively. The weight measuring portion of the equipmentdesiry comprises a weig scale associated with and carrying the frame sothat an object placed on said platform simultaneously will have itsdimensions and weight determined.

Each of the slidable members of the volume measuring portion of theequipment controls a switch which automatically places in circuit acurrent limiting means or resistance bank having a value correlatedrespectively with the, three parameters being measured. By connectingthe three resistance banks in series, the combined value thereof will beequal to the sum of the individual resistance banks. Each of theresistance banks is of a value that is a function of the, logarithm ofthe associated dimension of the object being measured. Consequently, thesum of the logarithmic resistances will also be a function of the volumeof such object and a suitable indicating device controlled by suchcombined resistance is calibrated to indicate the volume of the object.

Simultaneously with the determination of volume, the weighing scale isdesigned to place in circuit current limiting means or resistancecorrelated with the weight of the object. In one application in whichthe amount to be charged for the object being shipped is efiected onlyby weight or only by volume, but in which the relation or weight tovolume automatically determines the cost controlling factor, the currentlimiting means or resistances controlled by volume and those controlledby weight are so correlated that for corresponding numerical values inthe volume sequence and the weight sequence, the resistances are equal.That is, for a given volume, a given weight is to have the same monetaryrating and that relationship between volume and weight is proportionallymaintained throughout the range of the equipment. To this end, a bank ofresistances is controlled by the weighing scale and the magnitude ofeach resistance element in that bank is equal to the magnitude of thecombined value of resistance of the serie connected resistance bankswhich determine the corresponding volume rating and the weightcontrolled resistances controls a suitable indicating device calibratedto indicate the weight of the object.

More specifically, the series connected volume resistance banks and theweight resistance bank each has an indicating device having a resistancein series therewith, the volume resistance bank and its associatedindicating resistance forming one arm of a Wheatstone bridge and theweight resistance bank and its associated indicating resistance formingone arm of another Wheatstone bridge. In addition, a balancingresistance is provided in each bridge to form another arm thereof. Eachindicating device illustratively comprises a drum having a linear scalethereon calibrated in units of volume and weight respectively. Each drumresistance is of such value that for any given combined value ofresistance in the series connected resistances and for any given valuein the weight resistance, associated respectively with a given volumeand a given. weight, there is a value of resistance on each of the drumswhich, when added to the associated series connected resistance or theweight resistance will equal the value of the balancing resistance.

Each of the drums is driven by a suitable motor controlled by the outputof the associated Wheatstone bridge. Thus, if the resistances on theindicating drums of the bridges should be equal to the differencebetween the value of the associated balancing resistance and the valueof the resistance in the volume portion or weight portion of therespective bridges, the bridges will be in balance and no current willbe fed to the associated motor to rotate the drum. Consequently, thelatter will indicate a value correlated with the value of the drumresistance in circuit which will be equal to the volume or to the weightrespectively, of the object.

If, however, the resistance on the indicating drum be greater or lessthan the difference between the associated balancing resistance, and theresistance in the volume or weight portions or the respective bridge,the bridge would be out of balance and current would flow to theassociated motor thereby to rotate the drum. Such rotation wouldcontinue until the resistance on the indicating drum of the bridge isequal to the desired difierence, at which time the bridge will again bein balance and the motor will be deenergized. At such time the drum willindicate a value equal to the volume and weight of the objectrespectively.

or the two currents (weight controlled and volume controlled), thatwhich preponderates controls the cost indication which is desirablyeffected, in the embodiment herein shown, by a drum similar to thedrumsindicating volume and weight and also calibrated with a linear scalepreferably in monetary units and in the preferred embodiment, when thecurrents are equal it is the weight current that controls the cost drum.

To effect such control, it is preferred to connect the series connectedvolume resistances and the weight resistance in a suitable discriminatorcontrolled current to such cost indicating device at all other times.Desirably the cost indicating drum also has a resistance thereon of suchvalue that for a given volume or a given weight, a resistance ofpredetermined value may be placed in circuit, and the resistances on thecost drum together with either the series connected volume resistances,or the weight resistance form one of the arms of another bridge circuitin which a balancing resistance forms another arm.

The cost drum is driven by a suitable motor also similar to the motorsdriving the volume and weight drums and such motor is fed by the outputof the cost bridge. Thus, if the value of the resistance controlled bythe cost drum should be equal to the difference between the value of thebalancing resistance in one arm of the cost bridge and the volume ofeither the volume or weight resistance in another arm, such bridge willbe in balance and no current will be fed to the motor to rotate the costdrum. Consequently the latter will indicate a charge correlated with thevalue of the drum resistance in circuit based upon the volume or weightof the object as the case may be. If, however, the resistance in thecost indicating arm of the bridge should be greater or less than suchdifference, the bridge would be out of balance and current would flow tothe motor thereby to rotate the cost drum. Such rotation would continueuntil the resistance on the indicating drum placed in circuit is equalto the difference between the balancing resistance and either the volumeor weight resistances as the case may be, and at such time the bridgewill be in balance and the motor will be deenergized,

the drum having rotated to indicate the cost based on the volume orweight of the object.

Desirably the device is also equipped with suitable circuits to indicatethe relation between the volume and the weight, that is, the density ofthe object being shipped. To this end, a bridge circuit is provided intowhich the volume and weight resistances may be switched to form two armsof such bridge. indicating device connected across the bridge,preferably an electric meter having a center type scale, if the volumecurrent predominates, the needle of the meter will move in one directionand if the weight current predominates, the needle of the meter willmove in the opposite direction and such meter, in the illustrativeembodiment herein, is calibrated to read one when the volume and weightare equal and greater or less than one when such currents differ.

In another embodiment of the invention, the equipment desirablycomprises a frame having a horizontal platform, an end wall and a rearBy means of a suitable wall, each having a slidable measuring memberwhich may be moved to engage the extremities of the object to determineits maximum dimensions such as its width, height and lengthrespectively.

Each of the slidable members controls a switch which automaticallyplaces in circuit a current limiting means or resistance bank correlatedrespectively with the three parameters being measured. The slidablemember measuring length is designed to place in circuit a resistancedirectly related to the length and the slidable members measuring widthand height are designed to place in circuit resistancedirectly relatedto twice the width and twice the height. By connecting the threeresistance banks in series, the combined value thereof will be equal tothe length plus the girth of the object and a suitable indicating devicecontrolled by such combined resistance is calibrated to indicate theoverall dimensions of the object.

More specifically the indicating device has a resistance connected inseries with the series connected resistance banks and the combinedresistances form one arm of a Wheatstone bridge, a balancing resistanceforming another arm of said bridge. The indicating device illustrativelycomprises a drum having a linear scale thereon and the drum resistanceis of such value that for any given combined value of resistance in theseries connected resistances associated with a given overall dimension,there is a value of resistance on the drum which is the diiTerencebetween the value of the balancing resistance and the value of theseries connected resistances.

The drum is driven by a suitable motor controlled by the output of thebridge. If the resistance on the indicating drum should be equal to thediiTerence between the balancing resistance and the series connectedresistances, the bridge will be in balance and no current will be fed tothe associated motor torotate the drum. Consequently the latter willindicate a value correlated with the value of the drum resistance incircuit which will be equal to the overall dimensions of the object.

If, however, the resistance on the indicating drum should be greater orless than the difference between the balancing resistance and the seriesconnected resistances, the bridge would be out of balance and currentwould flow to the motor thereby to rotate the drum. Such rotation wouldcontinue until the resistance of the indicating device is equal to thedesired difference at which time the bridge would be in balance and themotor would be deenergized. At such time the drum would indicate a valueequal to the overall dimensions of the object.

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending applicationsserial No. 201,905, filed December 21, 1950; Serial No. 217,934, filedMarch 28, 1951; and Serial No. 242,531, filed August 18, 1951.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of variouspossible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative equipment for ratingobjects,

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the equipment shown in Fig. 1 on alarger scale, with parts broken away,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 2 showing one ofthe indicating drums.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on a 7 greatly enlarged scaletaken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3,

1 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on a larger scaletaken along line 6--6 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view on a greatly enlarged scale takenalong line 8-8 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating the application of theprinciple of the invention to measure the length and girth of an object,

Fig. 11 illustrates a simplified circuit to subtract,

Fig. 12 illustrates a simplified circuit to multiply and divide, and

Fig. 13 is an elaborate circuit diagram illustrating the application ofthe principle of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9 in a substantiallycommercial embodiment thereof.

Before proceeding to a description of the circuit, an equipment withwhich the invention may be practiced will be briefly described.

The rating equipment will be described as suitable for rating by volumeobjects up to a length of 5 units, height of 4 units and width of 4units in increments of one unit, from one unit up, and for rating byweight objects up to 10 units also in increments from one unit up. It isof course to be understood that the equipment could rate objects of amuch greater range of size or weight and the simple example herein shownand described illustrates the principles of the invention. The units oflengths, width.and height may be centimeters, meters, inches, feet,yards or any arbitrary unit of length as desired, and the units ofweight may be grams, ounces or pounds, or any arbitrary unit of weightas desired.

In Fig. 1 is shown a rectangular housing 21 illustratively a box of anysuitable material having an open top 22. Mounted on the floor 23 of thehousing 2| as shown in Fig. 2- is a weighlng scale 24 which may be ofany suitable type, such as, for example, that put out by Pitney- BowesCompany and designated by the trademark Postometer and such weighingscale will only be described to the extent necessary for a clearunderstanding of the invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the weighing scalecomprises a vertically movable support 21 controlled by a weight placedthereon to move the actuating arm 28 affixed thereto as at 29. The freeend 32 of the actuating arm 28 carries a rack 33 which engages a pinion34 afilxed on a transverse shaft 35 rotatively mounted in suitablebearings 36 and 31, as shown in Fig. 5, at the free ends of fixed arms38 and 39 respectively, extending obliquely upwardly from the bottom ofthe weighing scale 24. Mounted on shaft 35 is a drum 42 which desirablyhas axial hubs 43 on each of the end walls 44 and 45 thereof, said hubsbeing rigidly affixed to said transverse shaft by means of set screws46.

Afilxed on the periphery of the drum 42 adjacent end wall 44 thereof,and extending radially outward therefrom, is a bracket 41, shown inFigs. 5 and 6, the free end of which carries a laterally extending wiperarm 46 mounting a contact shoe I 49 at the free end thereof. Associatedwith wiper arm 48 and engaged by shoe 49 thereof is a resistance 5|preferably a continuous length of re- 8 sistance wire which, as shown inFigs. 5 and 6 is desirably mounted on a circular plate 53 of insulatingmaterial affixed by spacer bolts 54 to arm 38, said plate 53 lying in aplane parallel to end Wall 44 of drum 42 and being interposed betweensaid end wall 44 and rack 33.

The wiper arm 48 is electrically connected through bracket 41 andconducting strip 55 on drum 42, extending longitudinally thereof, toannular slip ring 56 mounted on a plate 51 of insulating materialaffixed to end wall 45 of the drum. As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, slip ring56 is engaged by contact shoe 6| mounted at the end of wiper arm 62affixed to and extending laterally outward from bracket 63 mounted onarm 39 and insulated therefrom.

Mounted on the vertical support 21 of the weighing scale is a frame 65by means of which the dimensions of the object being rated can bemeasured. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the frame 65 desirably comprises asubstantially rectangular platform 66, of dimensions slightly less thanthat of the open top 22 of the rectangular housing 2|, an end wall 61and a rear wall 68. The platform and said walls each desirably comprisesa pair of spaced parallel plates 69 and 1| as shown in Fig. 1, the plate69 of platform 66 which forms the floor of frame 65 being affixed tosupport 21 as by bolts 12 (Fig. 2).

In order to determine the length, width and height respectively of theobject to be rated, the frame 65 desirably has a plurality of measuringmembers I3, 14 and 15 slidably mounted thereon adjacent the three axesof a three dimensional system of rectangular coordinates. To this endthe plate II of platform 66 desirably has a transverse slot 16 thereinadjacent the end edge 11 thereof, the plate 'H of wall 61 desirably hasa vertical slot I8 therein adjacent the vertical edge 19 of the frameand the plate H of wall 68 desirably has a longitudinal slot 8|! thereinadjacent the lower edge 8| thereof.

The measuring members (Fig. 8) each desirably com'orlses a pair ofblocks 82, 83 positioned respectively on each side of the associatedslot and retained together by screw 84. One of the blocks, 1. e., block62, is positioned on the outer surface of the associated plate 1| anddefines a finger to enga e the object being measured and the other ofsaid blocks, i. e., the block 83, which is on the inner side of theassociated plate 1|, has a projecting portion or rib 85, which extendsinto the slot to guide the measuring member therealong.

Although the measuring members as illustratively shown are manuallymovable along the associated slots, it is of course to be understoodthat they could normally be spring retained at the ends 86 of such slotsand moved into engagement with the extremities of the object beingmeasured by any suitable mechanical or electrical means whichwould beobvious to one skilled in the art.

Desirably, the screw 84 of each of the measuring members, as shown inFig. 8, also mounts an insulating strip 81 to the guide member 83. Theinsulating strips 81 associated with the measuring members 13, 14 andI5, carry wiper arms 88, 89 and 99 respectively, each of which mounts aroller 9|, which, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, may be moved respectivelyalong the length of an associated insulating strip 60 affixed to plateII and extending parallel respectively to each of the slots 16 and 18,to engage the resistance I I l thereon which forms resistance banksRB-l, R34 and 9 R34 to measure length, width and height respectively.

Desirably the affixed end of each of the wiper arms 88, 89 and 90 isreversely bent as at 92 and each engages a contact rail 93, 94 and 95(Figs. 8 and 13) said rails being supported at their ends on theassociated plate H and insulated therefrom.

With the construction above described, after the measuring members 13,14 and 15 are moved to the ends 86 of the associated slots, if forexample, an object or package is placed on platform 66 as shown in Fig.1 with its corner at the origin and engaging the end wall 61 and therear Wall 68 and the measuring members are moved along their associatedslots so that the associated fingers 82 engage the end, side and top ofthe box, the wiper arms 88, 89 and 99 controlled by each of themeasuring members will place in circuit that portion of the associatedresistance bank RB-I, RB-Z and RB-3, correlated with a longitudinal,transverse and vertical dimension of the object. In addition, the weightof the object on the platform 66 will affect the weighing scale, whichis previously set at zero to compensate for the weight of the frame 65,so that the contact shoe 49 on the wiper arm 48 mounted on drum 42 willplace in circuit that portion of resistance correlated with the weightof the object.

The electrical circuits hereinafter described are controlled by thedimensions and by the weight of the object in order to determine theshipping charge or rating (whether according to volume or to weight)upon an indicating device, illustratively a drum 91 having its periphery98 exposed through the front wall 99 of the housing 2|, and

which desirably has such periphery calibrated in monetary units such asin cents, automatically to register the charge or rating of theparticular object.

If desired, the housing may also have similar indicating drums IOI andI02 calibrated, for example, in cubic inches and pounds to indicate thevolume and weight respectively of the object and an electric meter I03,desirably of the center scale type, having a pointer normally at centerposition to indicate the ratio of the weight to the volume or thedensity of the object, said drums and meteralso being exposed throughthe front panel 99 of the casing. The equipment may also have one ormore additional control switches to introduce further factors that maybe significant in determining the rating of the object. Thus, there isshown on housing 2I a manually operable control switch I04 designatedthe ratio switch, which serves to set up a predetermined relationbetween weightand volume in determining the rating. Moreover, there isshown a switch I05 designated the zone switch which serves to multiplythe basic charge or rating by a predetermined factor illustratively inaccordance with the postal or other zone to which the object is to betransported.

Thus, the drum 91 will indicate the amount to be charged fortransportation of an object placed on the equipment, such charge todepend usually on weight. But in all such cases Where the volume is tobe the controlling factor, such volume rather than the weight, shallcontrol the drum reading, which reading automatically takes into accountalso the ratio factor determined by switch I04, and the zone factordetermined by switch I05, all of which will appear more clear- 1y fromthe following description of the electrical circuits.

1 0 Referring now to the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 13, the threeresistance banks designated RB-I, RB2 and RB-3 are so designed as toplace in circuit a resistance of ohmic value which is a function of thelogarithm of the dimension being measured, said resistance banks beingconnected in series to provide a combined resistance of ohmic valuewhich is a function of the product of the dimensions or the volume ofthe object being measured.

To form each of the resistance banks RB-I, BB4. and RB-3, as shown inFigs. 8 and 9, the resistance III which desirably is a continuous lengthof wire, is wound on each of the insulating strips Ell in such manner asto provide a plurality of equally spaced runs H2 on the surface of thestrip 60 adjacent the associated wiper roller 9i so thatsuch runs H2 maysuccessively be engaged by such roller as the associated measuringmember is moved. Although each run may be spaced by any desired distancedepending upon the increments to be measured, in the illustrativeembodiment herein shown, they are one inch apart.

The resistance wire III is so wound on the associated strip 60 that whenany run I I2 which is associated with a dimension being classified, isengaged by the associated roller 9 I, a resistance of predeterminedvalue which is a function of the logarithm of such dimension will beplaced in circuit. To this end, the strip 60 may have spaced pairs ofpegs H3 extending laterally outward from the surface thereof opposed tothe runs H2 and the wire H2 may be wound around such pegs so that theresistance placed in circuit when each run is engaged may bepredetermined.

To connect the resistance banks RB-I, RB-Z and RB3 in series, as shownin Fig. 13, one end of resistance wire III of resistance bank EB-I, isconnected by lead I4I to A. C. main I42. The contact rail 93 whichcarries wiper arm 88 engaging wire III of resistance bank RB-I isconnected to one end of wire III of resistance bank RB-Z. The contactrail 94 which carries wiper arm 39 engaging wire III of resistance bankRB-Z is connected to one end of wire III of resistance bank RB-3. Thecontact rail 95 which carries wiper arm engaging wire H I of resistancebank RB-3 is connected by lead H5 to movable contact arm H6 of volumerelay H1, by leads H5 and H8 to movable arm H9 of discriminator relayI2I and by leads I I5, H8 and I22 to fixed contact I23 of volume costrelay I24. Contact rail is also connected by lead I25 to movable arm I26of double pole single throw switch I21, which may be mounted on frontpanel 99 of the casing. Fixed contact I28 of switch I21 is connected bylead I29 to one end of resistance I3I, the other end of which isconnected by lead I32 to one end of resistance I33 which issubstantially identical to resistance I3I and also by lead I34 to A. C.main I35. The other end of resistance I33 is connected by lead I33. tofixed contact I31 of switch I21, the meter I03 being connected acrosscontacts I28 and I31 to indicate density in the manner hereinafter to bedescribed.

Fixed contact I43 of volume relay H1 is connected by lead I to Wiper armI45 of volume indicating drum IOI as shown in Figs. 3 and 13 and contactI43 is also connected by lead I46 to fixed contact I41 of volume zerorelay I48. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the volume indicating drum IIIIdesirably comprises a disc I49 of in- "sulating material having acontinuous length of resistance wire II wound thereon, one end of whichis connected to a contact ring I52 affixed 'on said disc. The resistancewire I5I is so wound carried by wiper arm I45, said shoe desirably beingof width greater than the distance between adjacent runs I50 so that atall times at least one run will be engaged to provide a continuouscircuit.

Each run I50 of wire |5| on drum MI is related to a given value ofvolume and the resist ance placed in circuit when any run is engaged. isof predetermined value related to such volume. In order to "facilitateconstruction of the device so that the resistance of each run may bepredetermined, the drum has a plurality of pairs of pegs I54 mountedthereon as is clearly shown in Fig. "4 around which the resistance wire|5I may be wound, thereby to facilitate making each run of desiredresistance.

Drum IOI, as shown in Figs. 2 and 13 is operatively connected by shaftI6! to a servo-motor I62 which is controlled by means of aservoamplifier I63 such as of the type put out by "the Brown InstrumentDivision of the Minneapolis Honeywell Regulator Company, the servo--motor and servo-amplifier being designated as the Brown Electronik"continuous balance unit No. 354,574. The output of the servo-amplifierI63 is connected to servo-motor I62 by lead I64 and the power input tothe servo-amplifier I63 is supplied by means of leads I65 and I66, whichare connected respectively to A. C. mains I35 and I42. Oneof the inputleads I61 to the servo" amplifier I63 is connected to one end ofresistance I66and is also connected by lead I69 to one end of balancingresistance I1I, the other end of which is connected by lead I1 2 to A.C. main I42. The other input lead I13 of servo-amplifier I63 isconnected by lead I14 to wiper arm I15 which mounts contact roller I16at its free'end, the latter'engaging contact ring I52. Input lead I13 isalso connected by lead I18 to one end of resistance I16, which isidentical in value to resistance I66.

As shown in Fig. 13, an impedance matching resistance I81 is desirablyconnected across input leads I61 and I18 for optimum operation ofservo-amplifier I63. The ends I62 of resistances I68, I19 are connectedby common lead I83 to lead I65 and thence to A. C. main I35.

The servo-motor I62 is connected by lead I65 to movable arm I66 ofvolume relay I I1 and by lead I61 to movable arm I88 of volume zerorelay MB. The fixed contact I69 associated with movable arm I88 and thefixed contact I92 associated with movable arm I66 are connected by leadsI9I, I93 respectively'to A. C. main I35, engagement of arm I66 andcontact I92 providing energizing potential for servo-motor I62.

In order to control the operation of the equipment in a predeterminedtimed sequence, a timer 20I is provided which, as shown in Fig. 13,desirably comprises a plurality of discs of conducting materialdesignated 202, 203, 204, 205 and 206 andall afli'xed on-a-shaft 201also of conducting material which is driven by a motor 206 pref- P-erab1y of the'alternating current type, one oi the power inputs ofwhich is connected by lead 299 to A. C. main I35.

Each disc has a wiper arm 2|I, 2I2, 2I3, 2M

and 2I5 associated therewith respectively and adapted to engage theperiphery or theassociated disc. The discs 202, 203, 204 and 205 havenotches 2I6 of diiTerent lengths in their periphery in which the wiperarms are normally positioned to break the circuit from the wiper arm tothe as sociated disc, and disc 20 6 is continuously engaged by itsassociated wiper am 215 whieh is connected by leads 2I1 and 2 I6 to A.C. main 44 2. The wiper arm 212 is connected by leads 2% and 220 to oneside of the coils 2 2] and2'22 of volume relay H1 and weight relay 223.The wiper ar'rn 2| I is connected by leads 224 and 225 to theother powerinput of motor 2 66; by leads 224 and 226 to fixed contact 221 of startswitch 226 desirably inountedon front panel99 of "the casing, themovable arm 229 of switch 226 being connected to lead 2|8 which in turnis connected to A. C. mam I42.

The movable arm 23| of volume zero relay R8 is connected by lead 232 toone end of zeroing resistance 233, the other side of which is connectedby lead 234 to A. C. main H2. Main "I42 is "connected by lead 235 tofixedco'ntact 236 of zeroing switch 231, the movable arm 236 of which iscom nected by lead 239to one sideof the coils 24 I, 242 and 243 ofvolume zero relay I48, weight zero relay 24 4 and cost zero relay 245,the other side or said coils being connected by leads 246-, 241 and 248to A. 0. main I35. v

The resistance 5| on weight drum 42 is desirably so mounted thereon thatas the drum is rotated by a weight placed on the scal'e, resistance ofpredetermined value may be placed in circuit. To this end the resistance=5I is a continuous length of wire wound on the periphery of disc 56 insuch manner as to extend in equally spaced parallel runs 25 'Itherea-iound, a plurality ofpairs of pegs 253 desirably being provide(ion disc 56 around which "wire '51 may "be wound to form runs ofpredetermined resistance, related respec'- tively to a predeterminedweight so that when engaged by the contact shoe 49 such predeterminedresistance will be placed in circuit. The shoe 49 desirably is of widthgreater than the distance between adjacent runs 251 so that atall timesat least one run will be engaged "to-provide a continuous circuit. 7

The wiper arm 49 as heretofore described is connected by lead 55 tocontact ring 56 engaged by roller 6| on wiper arm 66 and the latter isconnected by lead 254 to -A. C. main I42. The free end of resistance 5|is connectedby leads 255 and 256 'to movable arm 251 of weight relay 226and the latter is connected by l'eads 256 and 253 to movable arm 261 ofdiscriminator relay I 24, said arm 26| being connected by leads 259 and262 to movable arm 263 of weight cost relay 264. Resistance 5| is alsoconnected by leads 255 and 265 to movable arm 266 of switch I21.

Associated with scale 24 is the weight indicating drum I02 which issubstantially identical to volume indicating drum I01 and hence will notbe described in detail. The resistance -261 mounted on drum I02 isengaged 'by the contact shoe 268 at the end of wiper arm 269 andsaldtherefrom and such contact ring 215 is-engaged by the roller 216 mountedon wiper arm 21 1, the

latter being connected by lead 218 to one end of resistance 219.

Drum I02, as shown in Figs. 2 and 10, Is operatively connected by shaft28I to a servo-motor- 282 which is controlled by means of aservo-amplifier 283, the motor 282 and amplifier'283 being of the typepreviously described. The output of the servo-amplifier 283 is connectedto servo-motor 282 by lead 284 and the power input to the servoamplifier283 is supplied by means of leads 285 and 286 which are connectedrespectively to A. C. mains I35 and I42. One of the input leads 281 ofthe servo-amplifier 203 is connected through lead 218 to resistance 219and the other input lead 288 of the servo-amplifier is connected to oneend of resistance 289, which is identical in value to resistance 219,lead 288 also being connected to one end of balancing resistance 29I,the other end of which is connected by lead 292 to A. C. main I42. Theends 293 of resistances 219 and 289 are connected by common lead 294which in turn is connected to A. C. main l35. An impedance matchingresistance 280 is desirably connected across input leads 281 and 288 foroptimum operation of servo-amplifier 283. The servo-motor 282 isconnected by lead 295 to movable contact arm 296 of weight relay223,.and said arm 290 is connected by lead 291 to movable arm 298 ofweight zero relay 244. Fixed contacts 299 and MI associated with movablearms 298 and 295 respectively are connected by leads 302 and 303 to A.C. main I35, engagement of arm 2% and contact 39I providing energizingpotential for servo-motor 282. The movable arm 304 of Weight zero relay244 is connected to one end of zeroing resistance 305, the other end ofwhich is connected to A. C. main I42.

Associated with the discriminator relay I2I is the ratio switch I04which controls resistance banks designated RaV and RaW which are mountedin housing 2I and such resistance banks are designed to introduce afactor in determining the rating in order to give a greater or lesserrating significance to the volume with respect to the weight than thatfor which the circuit is normally set. v

The circuit herein is designed to place resist ance banks RaV and RaW inseries with the series connected resistance banks RB-I, 183-2 and RB-3or with resistance 5I of the weight scale respectively. To this end theswitch I04 desirably has a pair of movable contact arms 309, 3I I gangedtogether to move in unison and insulated from each other, each switcharm desirably having a set of contacts 3I2 and an additional contact 3I2associated therewith. Resistance banks RaV and RaW each desirablycomprises a plurality of resistances, only two of which are shown,resistances RaV-2 and RaV-3 being at the left and resistances RaW-Z andRaw-3 being at the right. In the normal position of the contact arms303, 3II of switch I04, such arms are engaging a contact 3I2. ciatedwith the RaV resistances is connected to the two contacts 3I2 to theright and is also connected by lead 3I3 to one end of resistances RaV-2and Ralf-3, the other ends of said resistances bein connected to anassociated contact 3I2 to the left of contact 3I2 and contact 3I2 isalso connected by leads 3I3 and 3 I4 to fixed contact 3I5 ofdiscriminator relay I2I. Similarly, the contact 3i 2' associated withthe RaW resistances is connected to the two contacts 3I2 to the left andis also connected by lead 3I6 to one end of resistances Raw-2 and RaW-3,the other ends or said resistances being connected to an associatedcontact 3l2 to the right of contact 3I2,

The contact 3I2 asso-v 14 and contact 3| 2' associated with the RaW'resistances is also connected by leads 3I6 and 3" to fixed contact 3I8of discriminator relay I2I.

Each of the resistances in resistance banks RaV and RaW is of such valuethat when placed in series with the volume resistance banks or theweight resistance, they will add a resistance of ohmic valueproportional to the logarithm of the factor which is to be introduced.The movable arm 309 is connected by lead 32I to one end of resistance322 and thence by lead 323 to one of the inputs of servo-amplifier 324.The movable arm 3 il is connected by lead 325 to one end of resistance325, which is identical in value to resistance 322 and thence by lead321 to the other input of servo-amplifier 324. Desirably, an impedancematchin resistance 328 is connected across the input leads 323 and 321of said servoamplifier 324 for optimum operation thereof. The other ends329 of resistances 322 and 325 are connected together by common lead 330which is connected by lead 33 I to A. C. main I35.

The power input of servo-amplifier 324 is connected to A. C. mains H55and I42 by leads 332 and 333 and the output of the servo-amplifier 324is connected by lead 334 to a servo-motor 335, amplifier 324 and motor335 also being of the type previously described. Motor 335 is con--nected by lead 335 to movable arm 33'! of discriminator relay I2I toenergize such motor when said movable arm 331 engages the associatedfixed contact 339 which is connected by lead 339 to A. C. main I35.

The shaft of motor 335 carries switch arm 349 which, upon rotation ofthe servo-motor 335 in a counter-clockwise direction will actuate themovable arm 345 of volume cost switch 342 which is normally in openposition. Arm MI is connected by lead 343 to fixed contacts 344 and 345of relay 349 and also by lead 341 to the junction 348 between leads 224,225 and 229. In addition, arm 34! is connected through leads 343 and 349to fixed contact 35I of volume cost relay I24. Movable arm 359 of relay346 is connected by lead 352 to one side of the coil 353 ofdiscriminator relay I2I, the other side of said coil being connected bylead 354 to A. C. main I35. Arm 350 is also connected by lead 355 towiper arm 2E3 associated with disc 204 of timer 2!. Movable arm 353 ofrelay 343 is connected by lead 351 to movable arm 353 of volume costrelay I24 and also to one side of the coil 359 of said relay 124, theother side of said coil being connected by lead 395i to A. C. main I35.Desirably an indicating lamp, such as a neon light 362 is connectedacross said coil 359 to indicate when the latter is energized.

Fixed contact 393 of switch 342 is connected by lead 334 to one side ofsaid coil 335 of relay 346, the other side of said coil being connectedby leads 339 and 331 to A. C. main I35. Movable arm 331 of volume costrelay I24 which is normally engaging fixed contact 338 when said relayis not energized, is connected by lead 339 to A. C. main I35 and by lead31I to movable arm 312 of said relay I24. Contact 359 is connected bylead I94 to one side of the coil I95 of weight cost relay 264, the otherside of said coil being connected by lead I99 to wiper arm 2I4associated with disc 205. Desirably, an indicating device such as a neonlamp I91 is connected across coil I95 to indicate when the latter isenergized. Fixed contact 313 associated with movable arm 312 isconnected by leads 314 and 315 to fixed contact 316 of cost zero relay245, by leads 314 and 311 to fixed contact 318 of wei ht cost relay 264,and by l ads 314. 311 and 319 to servo-motor 3a: to energize the latter.the contact arm I98 associated with fixed contact 318 being connected bylead I99 to A. 0. main I35. Movable arm 310 of cost zero relay 245 isconnected by lead 300 to one end of zeroing resistance 38l, the otherend of which is connected to A. C. main I42.

Movable arm 382 of volume cost relay I24 is connected by leads 383 and334 to fixed contact 385 of cost zero relay 245, by leads 383, 386 tofixed contact 381 of weight cost relay 204 and by lead 338 to wiper arm389 which mounts a contact shoe 39! engaging the resistance 392 of costindicating drum 91, said drum being substantially identical to drums I01and I02. One end of resistance 392 is connected to contact ring 393mounted on said drum and insulated therefrom and said contact ring 392is engaged by the roller 394 mounted at the end of wiper arm 395 whichis connected by lead 386 to common lead 391 which connects one end of aplurality of resistances Z of zone switch I05, any one of which may beplaced in circuit to multiply the cost indication by a predeterminedmultiple in order to give the direct reading for various zones.

As shown in Fig. 10, the zone switch I illustratively has threeresistances designated 2-2, 2-3 and Z-4, the terminals 398 of which maybe selectively engaged by the switch arm 399 which normally engagesterminal 400 connected to lead 391, said arm 399 being connected by lead40! to one end of resistance 402.

Lead I is also connected by lead 403 to one of the inputs ofservo-amplifier 404, the other input which is connected by lead 405 toone end of resistance 406 which is identical to resistance 402 and lead405 is also connected by lead 40.1 to one end of balancing resistance408, the other end of which is connected by lead 409 to A. C. main I42.The other ends 4 of resistance 402 and 406 are connected by lead 4I2which is connected by lead M3 to A. C. main I351.

The power input to servo amplifler 404 is connected by leads 4M and 415to A. C. mains I35 and I42 respectively, and the output of theservoamplifier 404 is connected by lead 6 to servo motor 301, the latterdriving drum 91 by means of shaft 411, the servo-amplifier .404 andservomotor 38I being of type previously described.

DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE ,MAGNITUDES Illustrative values will now bedetermined for 1 the resistances utilized in the equipment assuming thatthe largest object to be measured is five inches by four inches by fourinches.

If the ohmic value of each of the resistance banks ,RB-I, R134 and RIB-3is a function of the logarithm of a corresponding dimensionclassification, the sum of the series connected resistance banks RB-l,RB-Z and RB-3 will be a function of the product of the three dimensionsor the volume classification of the object which may be read as such ondrum IOI or with corresponding monetary value on drum 91.

As appears in Tabulation I, hereinafter set forth, the second column isthe value of the dimension classification in the first column multipliedby ten so that the logarithm of all numbers may be greater than zero.The third column is the logarithm (to three decimalplaces) of eachvalue. For convenience in the construction of the equipment so thatresistances of common 16 values may be us d, the lo arithms in c n threeare multiplied by one thousand to secure column four.

Tabulation I Dimension Classification Value Logarithm Resistance Withresistances having values thus determined, if the unit of. measurementis considered to be inches and if an object 2 inches by 2 inches by 2inches is being measured, the combined value of the logarithms relatedto such units of measurement will be 3.903 and the total value ofresistance banks R134, R134 and R134 in circuit will be 3,903 ohms. Ifthe obiect is 5 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches-the total resistance incircuit will be 4,903 ohms.

The drum I 0I is so calibrated that each run I50 of the resistance wireI5I when engaged by the wiper arm 445 will place in circuit a resistanceof value equal to one predetermined volume.

The resistance value of each run is calibrated as follows: as the volumeresistance banks RB-I, RB and 35-3 and .drum resistance I5I in seriestherewith will form one arm of a Wheatstone bridge, designated thevolume bridge and the balancing resistance ,III another arm, in orderfor the brid e 1 1 .511.3 8 U0 511m f the Volume resistance banks anddrum resistance 251 must equal the value of balancing resistance 2II.

As the largest object to be measured is illustratively 5 inches by 4inches by 4 inches, the maximum combined resistance of the volumeresistance bani-2s is 4,903 ohms. The balancing resistance I'II is madeof 4,903 ohms and consequently for the bridge to balance the ,value ofthe drum resistance ;I5I in circuit must be the difference duetween4,903 ohms and the Value of the volume resistance in circuit.

The following tabulation may :be calculated.

Tabulation II Sum of Re- Drum Re- Volume B s i g gg sistance RB-Z, 123-33, 903 1, 000 4, 204. 690 4, 380 523 4, 50s 39s 4, 602 301 4, 681 222 4,748 4, 806 97 '1, 857 46 4, I 0

Thus successive runs on the drum IOI are of values from 1,000 ohms to 0ohm and the periphery of the drum is marked ,With volume indicatlons of8 to 80 in incrementsof 8, corresponding to the successive runs. It isof course to be understood that for volumes falling between those aboveenumerated, additional runs I50 would be provided on drum ,IOI ofappropriate value. Thus for a volume of 10 cubic inches for an object 5inches by 2 inches by 1 inch as the combined value of resistance'banksBB-I, RB-2 and gR'B-3 would be 4,000 ohms, a-run I50 of4,903-4,000 or 17 903 ohms would be provided between the runs associatedwith 8 and 16 cubic inches.

In order that the drum ll may be rotated to indicate zero, in the mannerhereinafter to be described, the zeroing resistance 233 isillustratively 2,000 ohms in value and an additional run IE0 is providedon drum |0l calibrated as zero which places in circuit resistance ofohmic value equal to the difference between balancing resistance Ill andzeroing resistance 2 33 or 2,903 ohms to balance the volume bridge.

To calibrate the value of the resistances on the scale 42, let it beassumed that 8 cubic inches of volume shall have the same rating as onepound of weight. To have a resistance in circuit on the drum 42 for onepound or weight, which is equivalent toa volume of 8 cubic inches, thevalue of the weight resistance 5| on drum 42 placed in circuit whenengaged by the associated wiper arm 48 would have to be 3,903 ohms. Tothis end the runs of resistance wire on drum 42 are so constructed thatthey are successively of resistance values of from 3,903 to 4,903 ohmsfor from one pound to ten pounds respectively, which are equivalent tovolumes of from 8 to 80 cubic inches respectively;

As the resistance 5| on the weight scale 24 and the resistance 26'! ondrum I02 which'is substantially identical to drum l0l, form one arm of aWheatstone bridge designated the weight bridge, and the balancingresistance 21H, another arm of such bridge, in order for the weightbridge to balance, the sum of the weight resistance and the drumresistance 26'! must equal the value of balancing resistance 29!.

As the weight of the largest object to be measured is illustratively 10pounds, the maximum resistance of the drum resistance 261 is 4,903 ohms.The balancing resistance 29! is made of 4,903 ohms and consequently forthe weight bridge to balance the drum resistance 26! in circuit must bethe difference between 4,903 ohms and the value of weight resistance 5|in circuit.

The following tabulation may be calculated.

Thus successive runs on drum I02 are of values from 1,000 ohms'to 0 ohmand the periphery of the drum is marked with weight indication of 1 to10 pounds in increments of one corresponding to the successive runs.

In order that the drum I02 may be rotated to indicate zero in the mannerhereinafter to be described, the zeroing resistance 305 is also 2,000ohms in value and an additional run is provided on drum I02 calibratedas zero which places in circuit resistance of ohmic value equal to thediflerence between balancing resistance 29! and zeroing resistance 305or 2,903 ohms to balance the weight bridge.

If the charge to be made is based on zones and. the basic charge for aone pound package of volume of eight cubic inches or less in zone one islive cents, it may be doubled or trebled for zones 2 and 3, for example,by adding either the resistance 2-2 or Z-3 in series with the seriesconnected resistance banks RB-I RB-Z and RB-3 or with weight resistance5| as the case may be by movement of switch arm 390. The resistances 2-2and Z-3 are of value to increase the total resistance to the desiredamount so that drum 0'1 will rotate to give a reading which is double ortriple the basic reading and such resistances have a value of 301 ohmsand 4'77 ohms respectively which are proportional to the logarithms ofthe zone multipliers.

To determine the values of the resistance 302 on drum 0! and thebalancing resistance 408, the value of the largest zone multiplier, i.e., 477 ohms, is added to the ohmic Value of either the volumeresistance banks or weight resistance bank for the volume or weight ofthe largest package that can be measured by the equipment, which as hasbeen heretofore shown is equal to 4,903 ohms.

Thus, the balancing resistance 408 is made to have a value of 4,903 ohmsplus 477 ohms or 5,380 ohms. Successive runs of resistance 392 on drum91 for a weight of one pound or 8 cubic inches must be 5,380 minus 3,903or 1,477 ohms and for weights of 2, 3 and 4 pounds and volumes of 16, 24and 32 cubic inches, the values of the successive runs must be 1,176,1,000 and 875 ohms respectively and the periphery of the drum iscalibrated in increments of five cents, i. e., five, ten, fifteen,twenty, etc. associated with the respective runs. In addition, the costdrum has a run calibtraed as zero designed to put resistance of 3,380ohms in circuit which is equal to the difference between balancingresistance 408 and zeroing resistance 38I which illustratively has avalue of 2,000 ohms so that the cost bridge will balance.

Where greater volume than the illustrative 8 cubic inches is to have arating equal to one pound of weight as for example, when twice thatvolume or 16 cubic inches is to have the same rating as one pound, it ismerely necessary to add resistance in series with weight resistance 5 l,the value of which is related to the logarithm of two. As the logarithmof two is .301, this number is desirably multiplied by 1,000 to give avalue of 301 ohms which is the value of resistance Raw-2 so that thetotal resistance of the weight resistance plus resistance Raw-2 would be4,204 ohms or that caused by a weight of two pounds. Similarly, if it isdesired to change the ratio to 24 cubic inches to one pound, it ismerely necessary to multiply by three and the value of resistance Raw-3is 4'77 ohms.

Where a lesser volume than the illustrative 8 cubic inches is to have arating equal to one pound of weight, as for example, where up to but notincluding twice the weight or two pounds is to have the same rating as 8cubic inches, it is merely necessary to add resistance in series withthe volume resistance banks RB-I, R34 and RB-3, the value of which isrelated to the logarithm of two. Thus the value of resistance RaV-Z is301 ohms. For a ratio of up to three pounds to 8 cubic inches,resistance RaVJ is 477 ohms.

OPERATION In order to determine the classification of an object,including its Volume, weight and density and the cost to be charged forshipping the same, the object or package is first placed on platform 66adjacent the origin 0 of the three dimensional system of rectangularcoordinates and to engage the top, end and side of the packagerespectively. Assuming, for purposes of illustration, that the packageis 2 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches and weighs one pound, and the ratioswitch I04 and zone switch I05 are in neutral position, as shown in Fig.13, movement of the measuring members 13, 14 and 15 will cause theassociated wiper arms 88, 89 and 80 to engage the runs I I2 ofresistance wire II I of resistance banks RB- I, RB-2 and RB-3respectively associated with such dimensions to tap off resistances ofvalue of 1,301 ohms on each resistance bank which is related to thedimension of two inches as set forth in Tabulation I. By reason of theseries connection of such resistance banks RB -I, RB-Z and RB-3, thetotal value of the resistances will be 3,903 ohms. The weight of thepackage on platform 88 will cause the contact shoe 49 on wiper arm 48 toengage a run I of resistance wire associated with such weight of onepound, thereby to place a resistance of 3,903 ohms in circuit.

When the frame 85 carried by the weighing scale is at rest, the operatormay actuate start switch 228 mounted on the front panel of the i housingto bring movable contact arm 229 into engagement with fixed contact 221.As a result, a circuit will be completed from A. C. main I35, lead 208,to one side of the timer motor and from the other side of the motorthrough leads 225, 228, fixed contact 221, movable arm 228, lead 2I8 toA. C. main I42.

Energization of motor 208 will, through shaft 201, rotate timer discs202, 203, 204, 205 and 208 in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 13.After a short interval of time the notch 2I8 in disc 202 will move pastwiper arm 2 which then engages the periphery of disc 202 to complete aholding circuit to the motor 208 so that when switch 228 is opened themotor 208 will remain energized. The holding circuit is from A. C. mainI35, lead 209 to one side of motor 208 and from the other side of themotor through leads 225, 224, wiper arm 2. disc 202, conducting shaft201, disc 208, wiper arm 2I5 which continuously engages disc 208, leads2H and 2 I8 to A. C. main I42. Further rotation of the shaft 201 bymotor 208 will cause the notch 2 I8 in disc 203 to move past wiper arm 2I2 which then engages the periphery of disc 203. As a result, a

circuit will be completed to the coils 22I and 222 of volume relay I I1and weight relay 223 respectively. The circuit is from A. C. main I42,leads 2I8, 2I1, wiper arm 2I5, disc 208, shaft 201, disc 203, wiper arm2I2, leads 2I9 and 220 to one side of coils 22I and 222, the other sideof said coils being connected to A. C. main I35.

Energization of the coil 22I of volume relay I I1 will bring movablecontact arms H8 and I88 thereof into engagement with fixed contacts I43and I92 respectively. As a result, a circuit will be completed from A.C. main I42, lead I4I through the series connected volume resistancebanks RB-I, R32 and RB-3, lead II5, contact arm II8, contact I43, leadI44 to wiper arm I45 engaging volume drum resistance I5I and fro-mcontact ring I52 to which the end of resistance I5I is connected, wiperarm I15, leads I14, I18 to one end of resistance I19. Thus, the volumeresistance banks RLB-I, RB-2 and R34 and the drum resistance 25I will beconnected in series. The movement of contact I88 against fixed contactI82 will complete a circuit from A. C. main I35, lead I83, contacts I82,I88, lead I85 to servomotor I82 so that the latter is in condition forenergization. As has been previously pointed out, with a package havinga dimension of 2 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches or a volume of 8 cubicinches, the combined resistance values of the series connectedresistance banks RB-I, RB-2 and RB-3 will be 3,903 ohms. As theresistance I1I has a value of 4,903 ohms, in order for the volume bridgeto be in balance the value of the drum resistance I5I in circuit must bethe difference between 4,903 ohms and 3,903 ohms or 1,000 ohms.

If the value of the drum resistance I5I in series with the volumeresistances RB-I REP-2 and RB-3 is greater or less than 1,000 ohms, itis apparent that the volume bridge will not be in balance and currentwill flow through leads I81 and I13 into servo-amplifier I83. Thecurrent flowin into the servo-amplifier will be amplified and fed toservo-motor I82 to energize the latter and motor I82 through shaft I8Iwill rotate volume drum IN. The drum IOI will rotate until wiper arm I45thereof engages the run I50 of resistance wire I5I associated with theresistance of 1,000 ohms, at which time the volume bridge will be inbalance and no current will flow into the servo-amplifier I83.Consequently, servo-motor I82 will be deenergized and the drum I0l willstop rotating. The drum, is so calibrated that when it has thus stoppedrotating, a suitable pointer will indicate a value of 8 cubic incheswhich is correlated with the resistance of 1,000 ohms.

Energization of the coil 222 of weight relay 223 which, as we have seen,occurs simultaneously with the energization of volume relay II1, willbring movable arms 251 and 298 thereof into engagement with fixedcontacts 212 and 30I respectively. As a result, a circuit will becompleted from A. C. main I42, lead 254 to wiper arm 83 which isengaging contact ring 58 on scale 24, lead 55 to wiper arm 48 which isengaging resistance wire 5| and from the end of resistance wire 5|,leads 255, 258, contact arm 251, contact 212, lead 21I to wiper arm 289engaging weight drum resistance 281 and from contact ring 215 to whichthe end of resistance 281 is connected, wiper arm 211 and lead 218 toone end of resistance 219. Thus the weight resistance 5| and the drumresistance 281 will be connected in series. The movement of contact arm298 against fixed contact 30I will complete a circuit from A. C. mainI35, lead 303, contacts 30I and 288, lead 295 to servo-motor 282 so thatthe latter is in condition for energization.

As has been previously pointed out, with a package having a weight ofone pound, the value of resistance 5| in circuit will be 3,903 ohms. Asthe balancing resistance 28I has a value of 4,903 ohms, in order for theweight bridge to be in balance, the value of the drum resistance 281 incircuit must be the difference between 4,903 ohms and 3,903 ohms or1,000 ohms. If the value of the drum resistance 281 in series with theweight resistance 5I is greater or less than 1,000 ohms, it is apparentthat the weight :bridge will not be in balance and current will flowthrough leads 281 and 288 into servo-amplifier 283. The current flowinginto the servo-amplifier will be amplified and fed to servo-motor 282 toenergize the latter and servo-motor 282, through shaft 28I, will rotateweight drum I02. The drum I02 will rotate until wiper arm 288 thereofengages the run I50 of resistance wire 281 associated with theresistance of 1,000 ohms, at which time the weight bridge will be inbalance and no current will flow into the servo-amplifier 283.Consequently, servo-motor 282 will be deenergized and the drum 102 willstop rotating. The drum M12 is so calibrated that when it has thusstopped rotating, a suitable pointer will indicate a weight value of onepound which is correlated with the rcsistanceof 1,000 ohms.

.At this time the circuit has operated to give a. reading of Volume andweight on drums NH and I02 respectively,

. Continued rotation of shaft 201 by motor 203 in'a clockwise directionas shown in Fig. 13 will cause the notch 216 in disc 203 to reach wiperarm 2I2 and break the circuits to the coils HI and 222 of volume relayH1 and weight relay 223respectively. Deenergization of such relays willcause the movable contact arms thereof to move away from the associatedfixed contacts to break the circuit from resistance banks RB-I,

RB-2 and RB-3 to drum resistance I'I and from weight resistance 51 todrum resistance 261. As a result of the moving of arm 186 of relay II1away from fixed contact I32 and of arm 296 of relay 223 away from fixedcontact 3M, the circuit from A. C. main I35 to the servo-motors I62 and282' respectively will be broken. Consequently there is no likelihood ofcreeping of said servoamotors due to stray currents in the circuit whichwould change the readings on the associated drums IN and I02.

* Substantially simultaneously with the deenergization of relays H1 and223, the notch 2I6 in disc 204 will move past wiper arm 213 which thenengages the periphery of disc 204. As a result, a circuit will becompleted from .A. C. main I42, leads 2I3, 2I1, wiper arm '2i-5, disc2015, con,- ductingshaft 201, disc 264, wiper arm 2I3, leads 355, 3-52to one side of the coil 353 of discrimi- 3I2 of said switch and thencethrough switch arm 309 normally engaging said contact 3I2 and lead32I.to one end of resistance 322. Movement of arm 26I of relay I2I againstfixed contact 3"; will complete a circuit from one end of weightresistance 5I, leads 255, 256, 258, 259, contacts -I, 3I8, lead 3I1 tocommon lead 316 of ratio switch I04 which is connected to the associatedfixed contact 3I2' and theme from switch arm 3II normally engaging saidcontact, lead 325 to one end of resistance 326. 1

As resistance banks RB-J, 123-2 and RE -3 and weight resistance 5I areconnected by leads MI and 254 respectively to A. C, main I42 and as theresistances 322 and 326 have their ends 329 connected by lead 33! to A.C. main I3 5, the resistances 322 and 326, resistance banks RB-I, RB-2and RB-3 and weight resistance 5| will form a Wheatstone bridgedesignated the discriminator bridge, the output of which is com nectedthrough leads 323 and 327 to servo-amplh fier 324.

As the resistance of the volume resistance banks ,RB-I R134 and RIB-3and the weight re sistance 5| are both equal to 3,903 ohms, as abovedescribed, inasmuch as the object has a volume of 8 cubic inches andweighs one pound, the discriminator bridge will be in balance and henceno current will flow into the servo-amplifier 324 and the servo-motor335 will remain deenergized. Consequently, the switch 342 will remainopen as the switch arm 340 of servo-motor 335 will not engage movablecontact arm 34l of said switch to bring the latter into engagement withfixed contact 363.

As a result, the volume cost relay I24 will remain deenergized when thediscriminator bridge is balanced for no current will flow through thecoil 359 of said relay. Under these conditions the movable contact arms358, 312 and 382 of relay I26 will remain spaced from the associatedfixed contacts 3M, 313 and I23 and the movable contact arm 361 willremain in engagement with fixed contact 36-8.

Continued rotation of shaft 231 by motor 208 in a clockwise directionwill cause the notch 2I6 in disc 204 to reach wiper arm 2I3 thereby tobreak the circuit to the coil 353 of the discriminator relay I2I"todeenergize the latter. As a result, the circuit from volume resistancebanks R134, 313-2 and RB-3 and weight resistance 5i to resistances 322,326 of the discriminator bridge will be broken, and the movement of arm33! away from fixed contact 338 will break the circuit from'A. C. main Ito servo-motor 335 to prevent creeping of the latter.

Immediately after the deenergization of the discriminator relay,continued rotation of shaft 231 will move the notch 2 It in disc 205past wiper arm 2M which then engages the periphery of disc 235. As aresult, a circuit will be completed to coil I of the weight cost relay254. This circuit is from A. (3. main I42, leads 2I8, 2I1, wiper arm2I5, disc 236, conducting shaft 201, disc 205, wiper arm 2M, lead I93 toone side of coil I95 of weight cost relay 254 and from the other side ofsaid coil through lead I34 to contact 368 engaged by arm 331 and thenceby lead 363 to A. C. main Energization of the coil I55 of weight costrelay 264' will bring movable contact arms I98 and 253 thereto intoengagement with fixed contacts '31'3 and 381 respectively. Movement oicontact arm 253 against'contact 381 will connect weight resistance 51 inseries with cost drum resistance 392, the circuit being from A. C. mainI 42, lead 254, wiper arm 63, contact ring 55, lead 55, wiper arm 43,resistance SI, leads 255, 256, 258, 262, contact arm 2%, contact 381',leads 3%, 383, 338, wiper arm 325 engagin drum resistance 392, contactring 333 to which said drum resistance 332 is connected, wiper arm 325,lead 383 to common lead 39? of acne switch I05, contact 400, contact arm383 and lead ADI to one end of resistance on.

As the weight resistance 5I is connected to A. C. main I 62 by lead 254;as one end of resistance cat is connected by lead 431 to one end ofbalancing resistance 438, the other end of which is connected by lead483 to A. C. main I42, and as the other end of resistances 432 and 433-are connected to A. (3. main E35 by lead M3, the weight resistance 5!and drum resistance 392 will form one arm of a Wheatstone bridge desighated the cost bridge and balancing resistance will form another arm ofsaid bridge, the output of which is fed through leads 435: and 435 toservo-amplifier out. As the package has a wei ht or one pound, which isequivalent to a resistance of 3,903 ohms, if the value of cost drumresistance 392 in circuit is greater or less than 1,477 ohms, it isapparent that the cost bridge above described will not be in balance andcurrent will flow through leads 403, 405 into the servo-amplifier 404.This current will be amplitied and fed to servo-motor 38I to energizethe latter, said servo-motor 38I being placed in condition forenergization by the closing of contacts I90, 310 of weight cost relay234. Energization of motor 33I will, through shaft 4| 1 rotate cost drum91. The drum 91 will rotate until wiper arm 339 thereof engages the runof resistance wire 392 associated with a resistance of 1,477 ohms atwhich time the cost bridge will be in balance andno current will fiowinto servo-amplifier 404. Consequently, servo-motor 33I will bedeenergized and drum 91 will stop rotating, The drum isso calibratedthat when it has thus stopped rotating, a suitable pointer will indicatea cost of five cents which is the charge for one pound which iscorrelated with the resistance of 1,47! ohms.

Continued rotation of shaft 201 by motor 208 in a clockwise directionwill cause the notch 2I3.

in disc 205 to reach wiper arm 2I4 to break the circuit to the coil I95of the weight cost relay 234 to deenergize such relay. As a result, thecircuit from weight resistance 5| to the cost bridge resistance 402 willbe broken. In addition, the movement of arm I93 away from fixed contact313 will break the circuit from A. C. main I35 to servo-motor 33I toavoid any possible creeping of the latter which would vary the costreading.

After the disc 202 has made substantially a complete revolution. thenotch 2I3 therein will reach the wiper arm 2 to break the circuit tomotor 208 and the equipment thereupon will be rendered inoperative withthe drums IOI, I02 and 91 indicating the volume, weight and cost of thepackage.

If the package should have a volume of 8 cubic inches and the weightshould be, for example, 2 pounds, the system would function in themanner previously described so that the drum IOI would rotate toindicate a volume of 8 cubic inches and the drum I02 would rotate toindicate a weight of 2 pounds. As the value of the weight resistance 5|is 4,204 ohms for a weight of two pounds, and the value of the volumeresistances is 3,903 ohms for 8 cubic inches, the discriminator bridgewould be unbalanced and current would flow into the servo-amplifier 324.Due to the fact that the weight resistance is greater than the volumeresistance, the weight current will be greater than that of the volumecurrent and the servo-motor 335 will be rotated in a clockwise directionso that the switch arm 340 thereof will have no effect on the movablearm 3 of switch 342. As the result, the volume cost relay 359 willremain deenergized and the weight cost relay coil I95 will be energizedas previously described so that the weight resistance 5I together withdrum resistance 392 will form one of the arms of the cost bridge, alsoas previously described.

Consequently, the drum 91 will rotate until wiper arm 389 engages a runof resistance wire 392 associated with a resistance of 1,176 ohms tobalance the cost bridge at which time a cost indication of ten centswill be indicated on drum 91. If the object being measured should be 2inches by 2 inches by 4 inches or 16 cubic inches and the weight shouldbe one pound, the drums IN and I 02 would indicate the volume of 16cubic inches and a weight of one pound respectively as previouslydescribed. When the volume resistance banks RB-I, R34 and RB-3 whichhave a value of 4,204 ohms for a volume of 16 cubic inches and theweight resistance 5| which has a value of 3,903 ohms for a weight of onepound are placed in the discriminator bridge as previously described,the current through the volume resistances would be greater than thatthrough the weight resistance. Consequently, the discriminator bridgewould be unbalanced, but this time the current into the servo-amplifier324 would be in direction to rotate the servo-motor 335 in acounterclockwise direction and such arm 340 would engage contact arm 34Ito move the latter into engagement with fixed contact 333. As a result,a circuit would be completed from A. C. main I42, leads 2I3, 2I1, wiperarm 2 I5, disc 203, conducting shaft 201, disc 202, wiper arm 2, leads224, 341, 343, contact arm 34I, contact 333, lead 334, coil 335 01'relay 343, leads 333 and 33I to A. C. main I35 thereby to energize coil335. Energization of coil 335 of relay 343 will bring movable contactarms 350 and 353 into engagement with fixed contacts 344 and 345respectively.

Engagement of contact arm 353 with fixed contact 345 will complete acircuit from A. C. main I42, leads 2I8, 2I1, wiper arm 2I5, disc 206,conducting shaft 201, disc 202, wiper. arm 2I I, leads 224, 341 tocontact 345 and thence through contact 353, lead 351 to one side of coil359 of volume cost relay I24 and from the other side of said coil bylead 33I to A. C. main I35. Energization of coil 359 of volume costrelay I24 will bring movable contact arms 353, 312 and 332 intoengagement with fixed contacts 35I, 313 and I23 respectively, and willmove movable arm 331 away from the fixed contact 333 to break thecircuit to the coil I of weight cost relay 234. Movement of contact arm312 against fixed contact 313 will completea circuit from A. C. main I33to servo-motor 33I to place the latter in condition for energization,the circuit being from main I35, leads 339. 3", contacts 312, 313, leads314, 311, 319 to motor 33I. Movement of arm 332 against fixed contactI23 will complete a circuit from volume resistances RB-I, R34 and RB-3,leads H5, H3, I22,contacts I23, 332, lead 333 to wiper arm 339 ofresistance 392 on cost drum 91 and from contact ring 393 to which oneend of resistance 392 is connected, wiper arm 395, leads 393, 391,contact 400 of zone switch I05 which is engaged by movable arm 399, lead40I to one end of resistance 402. As the adjacent end of resistance 403is connected by lead 401 to one end of balancing resistance 403, theother end of which is connected by lead 403 to A. C. main I42, thevolume resistance banks RB-I, RB-2 and RB-3 and drum resistance 392 willnow form one arm of the cost bridge and balancing resistance 403 willform another arm of the cost bridge.

If the sum of the volume resistances RB-I, RB-2 and R34, which is 4,204ohms for a volume of 16 cubic inches, and the drum resistance 392 incircuit, is greater or less than 5,330 ohms, which is the value of thebalancing resistance 403, the cost bridge will be out of balance andcurrent will be fed to servo-amplifier 404. As a result, servo-motor 33Iwill be energized to rotate the drum 91 until wiper arm 339 thereofengages a run of resistance wire 392 associated with the resistance of1,176 ohms at which time the cost bridge will be in balance and nocurrent will flow into the servo-amplifier 404.

iconsequently, servo-motor 38f will be de-.. energized and drum 91 willstop rotating. The drum is so calibrated that whenit has thus stoppedrotating, a suitable pointer will indicate a cost of ten cents.correlated with the volume 16 cubic inches.

r I! the notch 2I6 of disc 204 should move into alignment with wiper arm2I3 while arm 340 is-engag-ing switch arm 34I and retaining the latteragainst fixed contact 363, although the circuit to the coil 353 of thediscriminator relay I2I would be broken by reason of the opening of thecircuit between disc 204 and wiper arm 2 I3, the relay 346 would remainenergized there: by maintaining the volume cost relay I24 in circuit byreason or closed contacts 345, 356, so that upon the next weighing andmeasuring cycle, the volume cost relay I24 would be en: ergizedregardless of whether volume or weight was to be the controlling factor.To prevent this erroneous reading, the relay 346 has the movable contactarm 350 and fixed contact 344. When arm 350 engages contact 344, even ifnotch 2I6 in disc 204 is aligned with wiper arm 2I3, a circuit willstill be completed to the coil 35 of discriminator relay I2I. Thiscircuit is from A. C. main I42, leads 2I8, 2I1, wiper arm 2I5, disc 206,conducting shaft201, disc 202, wiper arm 2II, leads 224,: 341, 343,contact 3444, contact arm 350, lead 352 to one side of coil 353 and fromthe other side of said coil throughlead 354 to A. C. main I35.

As the discriminator relay will thus remain energized, the motor 335will likewise remain ener: gized inasmuch as the circuit is completedfrom A.C..main I35 through closed contacts 331, 338 to said motor 335and from resistance banks EBA, R34 and BB4 and weight resistance 5i tothe discriminator bridge which will remain unbale anced by reason of thepredominating volume current. Consequently, motor 335 will move arm 340until it no longer engages arm 34I at which time the circuit to coil 355of relay 346 will be broken and as a result of the deenergization ofsuch relay, arms .350 and 356 will move away from fixed contacts 344 and345 to break the circuit to the coils 353 and 359 .oi the discriminatorrelay I2I and volume cost relay I24.

Upon movement or contact arm 358 against fixed contact 35I of the volumecost relay I24 with the initial energization of the latter, a holdingcircuit will be provided for the 0.011 3.59 of said relay. This circuitis from A. C. main I42, leads 2I8,2I1, wiper arm 2I.5, disc 206, shaft201, isc 202. Wiper arm 21 leads 2'24, 341, 34. contacts 35I. 358 throuh coil 1 .59 and leads 36! to A. 0, main I35. .As a result, the volume ot relay will remain energized regardless of the decnergization Of 1 .113 di criminat r 6 35 01 r lav 34.6 and not un 11 he c c e has b en complated and wiper arm 3. no lon er en ages disc 20 will the circu t tocoil 35 of v lume cost relay I24 be broken.

In order, to determ ne thodens tv or the rel tion' of w i ht to volu eof t e packa e bein hipp d. after it has be n c ass fi d as abovedescribed. it merely nec ssary for the oper or to close density switchI21. This will connect resistance banks BB BB a d BB4 th ue lead I25 andmovab e. a m I25 of density switch I21 to 'iixed contact 1.2.8v andresistance I31. The wei ht resistance 51 will be connected through leads25.5. 2.65 to movable arm 266 of said switch and thence to fixed contactI31 and resistance 1:33. As a. result, a Wheatstone bridge designatedthe density bridge will be formed, the output of which will be thedifference between the weight current and the volume current and suchoutput will be indicated on meter I03. as a factor of density.

If the currents through the weight and volume resistance should beidentical, the density bridge would be in balance and undertheseconditions the meter is illustratively designed to give an arbitraryindication of one which would indi-. cate that the weight and volumebear a pre: determined relation to each other, i. e., 8 cubic inches toone pound. If, for example, the weight current should be greater thanthe volume cure rent, the meter will give an indication of a densitygreater than one and if the volume current should be greater than theWeight cur: rent, the meter would give an indication of weight less thanone.

The operation thus far described has been with-respect to thepredetermined relation of 8 cubic inches to one pound with a, charge offive cents for each 8 cubic inches or one, pound. Where it is desired toallow the shipper to trans: port double the volume for a given weightfor the same price, that is, 16. cubic inches for five cents, beforestart switch 228 is closed, it is merely necessary for the operatortoadjust ratio switch I04 so that switch arm 3H thereof en.- gages thecontact 3I2 associated with resistance RttW:2 which has a value of 301ohms. This will place such resistance in series with the weightresistance 5| when the latter is switched into the discriminator bridgecircuit as previously described.

Thus, for example, if the volume is 16 cubic inches and the weight isone pound, the. value of resistance banks RBaI, BB4 and RB..3 is 4,204ohms and the value of the weight resistance 5! will be 3,904 ohms.Resistance aaw z which has a value of 301 ohm will be in series with theweight resistance of 3,903 ohms making a total resistance of 4,204 ohms.As a result, the discriminator bridge will be in balance even though thevolume of the obj ct is 16 cubic inches and its weight is one pound.With the bridge in balance, upon en a em t of wiper arm 2I4 with disc205 as previously pointed out and .en-. ergization of weight cost relay254, the weight resistance 5I alone will thereupon be connected into thecost bridge and the cost drum 91 will rotate until it places aresistance in circuit having a value of 1,477 ohms which will give anindication of five cents.

If the volume should be greater than 16 cubic inches such as, forexample, 2.4 cubic inches and the weight still should be one pound, withthe ratio switch arm 3 still engaging the contact associated withresistance Raw-2, the volume resistance bank would have a value of 4,903ohms, whereas the weight resistance 5I plus resistance Raw-2 will have atotal value of 4,204 ohms, thereby unbalancing the bridge in the mannerpreviously described so that upon rota-.- tion of motor 335 and closingof switch 342, relay 346 will be energized to complete a circuit to coil359 of volume cost relay I24. Thus the volume resistance banks RB-I,R134 and RIB-3 will be placed in the cost bridge circuit and the costdrum 91 will rotate to place a resistance of 1,000 ohms in circuit tobalance the bridge at which time an indication of fifteen cents will begiven which is related to a resistance of 1,000 ohms and a volume of .24cubic inches.

Similarly, if it is desired to allow the shipper to transport up to butnot including double the weight for a given volume for the same price,that is, up to but not including two pounds for five cents with arelation such as 8 cubic inches to two pounds between volume and weightit is a simple matter for the operator to adjust the ratio switch I04 sothat the movable arm 309 thereof engages the fixed contact 3I2associated with resistance RaV-2 to place the latter in series with thevolume resistance banks RB-I, RB-2 and RB-3.

The addition of resistance RaV-Z which has a value of 301 ohms, inseries with the resistance of series connected resistance banks RB-I,133-2 and RB-3 which have a combined value of 3,903 ohms for a volume of8 cubic inches, will give a resultant resistance of 4,204 ohms which isgreater than the resistance of weight resistance 5| which will be 3,903ohms for a weight of over one pound, but less than two pounds on thescale 24. As a result, the servo-amplifier 324 will be energized toenergize servo-motor 335 in direction to close switch 342. Consequently,the volume resistance banks RB-I, RB-2 and RIB-3 will be placed in thecost bridge circuit and as heretofore described the cost drum 91 willrotate to place a resistance of 1,477 ohms in circuit to balance thebridge at which time an indication of five cents will be given, which isrelated to a resistance of 1,477 ohms and a volume of 8 cubic inches,and such charge will be given even though the weight of the object is,for example 1.9 pounds.

In the event, however, an object being rated should have a relationbetween volume and weight equal to or greater than 8 cubic inches to twopounds, the discriminator bridge with the addition of resistance RaV-Zin series with the volume resistance banks RB-I, RB-2 and RB-3 will bebalanced when the relation is equal to 8 to 2 or unbalanced in favor ofweight when the relation is changed, i. e., 8 to 3. In either case theweight resistance 5| will be placed in the cost bridge circuit aspreviously described and the cost drum 91 will indicate ten cents orfifteen cents as the case may be based on the weight of the object.

With the zoning switch I05 in the position shown in Fig. 13, the currentflowing into the cost bridge will depend solely on the value of thevolume resistance banks RB-I, RB-Z and RB-3 or the weight resistance 5|whichver is in circuit. If, for example, the weight resistance is incircuit, and a weight of one pound results in a resistance of 3,903 ohmson the weight resistance 5|, the cost drum 91 will rotate to give anindication of five cents. If it is desired to double the rate in theevent the package is to be shipped to a second zone further away, it isa relatively simple matter to move the contact arm 399 of the zoneswitch to engage the contact 398 associated with resistance Z-2, so thatthe latter will be put in series with weight resistance 5|. The circuitis from A. C. main I42,,lead 254, wiper arm 63, contact ring 56, lead55, wiper arm 48, resistance 5|, leads 255, 256, 258, 262, closedcontacts 263, 381 of weight cost relay 264, leads 386, 383, 388, wiperarm 389, drum resistance 392, contact ring 393, wiper arm 395, leads396, 391, resistance Z2, switch arm 399, lead 40I to resistance 402.

As resistance Z-2 has a value of 301 ohms, and resistance 5| has a valueof 3,903 ohms, the resultant resistance will be 4,204 ohms and the drum91 will rotate until a run of resistance 392 thereon is placed incircuit that has a value of 1176 ohms, at which time the cost bridgewill be in balance and a charge of ten cents will be indicated on thedrum 91. Similarly, the charge may be multiplied by 3, 4 or otherfactors as desired.

In order to re-set drums IOI, I02 and 91 to zero position (which is notrequired for continuous operation of the equipment), it is merelynecessary to press zero switch 231. As a result, a circuit will becompleted to the coils 24I, 242 and 243 of the volume zero relay I48,weight zero relay 244 and the cost zero relay 245. This circuit is fromA. ,0. main I42, lead 235 to fixed contact 236 of switch 231, movablecontact arm 238, to one side 01' the coil 24I of relay I48 and throughlead 239 to one side of the coils 2 42 and 243 of relays 244 'and 245,the other sides of said coils being connected by leads 246, 241 and 248to .A. C..main I35. As a result, the movable arms of the relays I48, 244and 245 will engage the associated fixed contacts. Referring to volumezero relay. I48, when contact arm I88 engages fixed contact I89, acircuit will be completed irom A. C. main I35 through lead I9I, contactsI88, I89, leads I81, I to servomotor I62 to place the latter incondition for ener-. gization. The engagement of movable arm 23I withfixed contact I41 will complete a circuit from A. C. main I42, lead 234,zeroing resistance 233 which illustratively has a value of 2,000 ohms.lead 232, closed contacts 23I, I41, leads I46, I44 to wiper arm I45engaging drum resistance I5I vot volume drum I0 I and from contact ringI52, wiper arm I15, leads I14 and I18 to one side of resistance I19. Asresistance I68 is connected to balancing resistance I1| which has avalue of 4,903 ohms, it is apparent that with the 2,000 ohm zeroingresistance placed in series with drum resistance I5, the volume bridgewill be unbalanced and the servo-motor I62 will rotate until it engagesthe run on the volume resistance I5I asso-v ciated with a resistance of2,903 ohms which is related to the zero position on the drum. At suchtime the bridge will be in balance and the servomotor I62 will stoprotating. As theoperationof I the weight zero relay 244 and cost zerorelay 248 are identical to that of volume zero' relay I48 and resistance233, they will not be described. After the drums IOI, I02 and 91 haverotated to zero position the operator need merely move his finger fromthe zero switch 231 and the equipment is ready for the next package tobe rated.

The equipment herein described will give indications of volume andweight on drums WI and I 02, cost on drum 91 and density. on meter I03and will enable the cost to be based on a predetermined ratio betweenvolume and weightas well as permitting such costto be multiplied-by agiven amount depending on the zone'to which the object Is to be shipped.I However, it is to be understood that various combinations of suchequipment could be used to indicate, for example, cost alone with orwithout the ratio and zone factors, the density alone or with the volumeor weight indication. I

Inasmuch as the bridges hereinabove describ balance resistances,variations in voltage will not aflect the system and hence the resultantreading will be accurate regardless of wide fluctuation in voltage. I

Although the Wheatstone bridges utilized in the equipment have beendescribed as being balanced when the balancing resistance is equal tothe re-- sistance oi the volume and weightarms plus the associated drumresistance, it is of course to be understood that the bridges could bemade to balance when the resistances in the two armsbi the bridgebearing a definite ratio to each other and the claims are intended tocover this .concept. The claims are also intended to cover equipment inwhich drums are not used, but in which the motors :drive selector armsto tap ofi resistance of diiferent values having a linear scaleassociated therewith. As the construction of such equipment would bereadily apparent to one skilled in the :art view .of the disclosuresherein,it will not be further described.

The equipment herein shown and described could readily be adapted tomeasure the combined length'and girth of a package, which is importantfor post office use where limitations are made on the size of a packagethat may be shipped. To this end the illustrative bridge circuit shownin Fig. is provided in which parts corresponding to those in .Fig. .13will be given the same reference numerals primed. As shown, threeresistance banks RB-l', RB-2' and IRE-3' are provided, which aresubstantially identical to the re sistance banks RB-I, RB-Z and RB-3heretofore described. The resistance banks BB4, RB-2' and RB-3 may bemounted on a measuring frame 5.5 similar to the one shown in Fig. 1 soas to extend parallel respectively to each of the slots 80, I6 and 18 tobe engaged by a contact roller mountedon an associated measuring member13, 141, 15' to measure length, width and'height respectively. Theresistance banks are connected inseriesas shown in the manner similar toresistance .banks BB4, RB-Z and RB-3 so that, depending upon theposition of the associated measuring member when in engagement with theend, side and top of the package, resistance of predetermined value maybe tapped off each of the resistance banks RB-I ,RB-Z' and RB-3.

vAs the equipment shown in Fig. 10 is to measure the combined length andgirth of the-package, which .is equal to the length plus twice the widthand twice the height, successive runs of resistance bank RB-l' aredesigned to place in circuit resistance correlated with the length ofthe package and such resistance bank is calibrated so that one inch isrelated to one ohm. The resistance bank .RB-2' and RB-3' are designed toplace in circuit resistance of value correlated with twice the width andtwice the height of the package to measure the girth and such resistancebanks RB-Z and RB-3' are calibrated so that successive runs will placein circuit resistance in increments of two ohms for each inch. Thus, thecombined value of the three series connected resistancebanks will givethe combined length and girth of a package.

An indicating drum I0! is desirably provided which is substantiallyidentical to drum I 0|, I02 and 91 previously described. The contactrail 95 carries wiper arm 90 which engages resistance bank .RB-3 and isconnected by lead 50! to the wiper arm 502 engaging the resistance 503on .drum I0| The contact ring 504 of drum l0l to .which the end ofresistance 503 is connected, is in turn connected by lead 505 to one endof resistance 506, and also by lead 501 to one Of the inputs ofservo-amplifier 508.

Assuming that the largest object or package to be measured by theequipment has a combined length and girth of 100 inches, the maximumtotal resistance of resistance banks RB-l RB-2 and RB-3' will be .100ohms. The balancing resistance 509 which is made to have a value of 100ohms, hasone end connected by lead 5| I to the end of resistance RB-l'as at 5l2 which is also connected to fixed contact 5I3 of switch 30 5M,thmovalole arm 515 of which is connected to one side of an alternatingcurrent line. The other end of resistance 509 is connected by leads 5156and 5|! to one end of resistance 5l8 andalso by lead 5|9 to the otherinput of servo-amplifier 508. Theendsz52l and 522 of resistances 506 and5-18' are connected together as at 523 and such connected ends are inturn connected to the other side of the alternating current line. Theservoamplifier :500 has its output connected through lead 524 toservo-motor 525, the latter driving drum I 0! by means of shaft 526, theservo-amplifier 508 and servo-motor 525 fleeing similar to the typespreviously described.

With the equipment set up, as above described, if the resistance :banksRB-l', RIB-2' and R3 3 have a combined value of ohms-for an object 20inches by 20 inches by 20- inches in order for the bridge to balance,the value of drum resistance 503 in series with such resistance .bankswould have to be zero ohms and such resistance is correlated with anindication of 100 inches. If an object 20 inches in length by 10 inchesin width by-10 inches in height is being measured, the combinedresistance of resistance banks R-B-l', RB-2 and RB-3' would be 20 plustwo times 10 plus two times 10 or 60 ohms. In order for the bridge tobalance, the value of drum resistance 503 would have to be 40 ohms andsuch resistance on the drum is correlated with an indication of 60inches. Similarly, other values between the smallest and largestdimensions to be classified maybe set up.

The equipment shown in Fig. 10 in combination with the measuring frame65 and measuring members 13', 14? and 15 is readily adaptable for postoffice use in order to determine the maximum overall dimensions of anobject. The postman may merely place the object on the measuring frame65 and move the measuring members until they engage the end, side andtop of the object being classified. Upon closing of switch 514, in theevent of unbalance in the bridge, which will occur when the the sum ofresistance banks RB-l RB-Z and RB-3 and drum resistance 503 is greateror less than 100 ohms, current will flow to the servo-amplifier 500 toenergize the servomotor 525 which will rotate in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction to rotate thedrum [0! until such resistanceis placed in circuit to balance the bridge and the value correspondingto such resistance will thereupon be indicated.

Although the equipment shown in Fig. 10 has been illustrativelydescribed with respect to a specialized use in a post ofiice, it is ofcourse to be understood that it could also be used asan adding machineby simply correlating values to runs of resistance on resistance banksRB-l', RB-Z and RB-3'.

The bridge circuit shown in Fig. 11 may be used to subtract numbers.This circuit is substantially identical to that shown in Fig. 10, exceptthat the resistance lbanks RB-l RB-Z' and .RB-3' are replaced by thesingle resistance bank RS in series with indicating drum 530substantially identical to drum I01. This resistance may be calibratedin any desired manner as, for example, in increments of one, from one toa hundred with each increment having a value of one ohm. The wiper arm53! which is connected to wiper arm 532 of the drum resistance 533 maybe used to tap off any desired value of resistance RS desirablyindicated on a scale 534 associated with the wiper arm 53] The wiper arm535 may be used to short circuit any desired amount of resistance RSwhich also may be indicated on a scale 536 associated therewith. To usethe device, the wiper arm 53l is moved so as to tap oif resistancecorrelated with a given number as, iorexample, 15, indicated on scale534. If it is desired to subtract 50, for example, from such number, thewiper arm 535 is moved to this point on scale 536 so as to short circuit50 ohms of resistance RS. The switch l4' is then closed and the drum 530will then rotate until the bridge is inbalance. Inasmuch as the value ofresistance RS remaining in circuit is 25 ohms, drum 530 would be rotateduntil wiper arm 532 taps 011 a resistance of 75 ohms on resistance 533at which time the bridge would be in balance as the sum of resistance RSin circuit and resistance 533 would equal the value of the balancingresistance 503, i. e., 100 ohms and 75 ohms is correlated with a valueof 25 on drum 530. Similarly, other values could readily be calculated.

The bridge circuit shown in Fig. 12 which is in many respects similar tothe circuit shown in Fig. '10, may be used to multiply and divide.

, The three series connected resistance banks RMD-I, RMD-2 and RMD-3 maybe formed in the same manner as resistanc banks RB-I, RIB-2 andl BB3 andsuccessive runs of the resistance wire thereon have resistance valuesproportional to the logarithm of a given number as follows:

Assuming that the largest product to be measured by the equipment is 6times 6 times 6 or 216, the balancing resistance SM is made to have avalue of 2,334 ohms. Thus, for the bridge to balance, the value of thedrum resistance 542 in circuit must be the difference between 2,334 ohmsand the value of the resistance RMD in circuit. As a result, thefollowing tabulation may be calculated.

Tabulation V Sum of Resistance D an S rum Value -1, ResistanOB RMD-2,and

RMD-

Thus, successive runs on the drum 543 are of value of from 1431 ohms tozero ohms and the periphery of the drum is marked in indications of 8,24, 27, 64, etc. corresponding to the successive runs.

In the operation of the circuit shown in Fig. 12 if it is desired tomultiply 4 by 3 by 2, the wiper arms 544, 545 and 546 associated withresistance banks RMD-l, RMD2 and RMD-3 are moved to indicate such valueson the associated scales 541, 548 and 549. As shown in Tabulation IV,this will place 602, 477 and 301 ohms in series for a total of 1380ohms. The switch 55l is then closed 32 and as the bridge will be out 01'balance, drum 543 will be rotated by servo-motor 552 until a runassociated, with a resistance of 2334-1380 or 965 ohms is in circuit andthe bridge is balances The drum 543 is so calibrated that suchresistance of 965 ohms is related to a product of 24.

It it is desired to divide any product, it is merely necessary to movewiper arm 553 associated with resistance bank RMD-l to the correspondingdivisor on scale 554. Thus to divide 24 by 3, the wiper arm 553 would bemoved to 3 to short circuit 477 ohms of resistance RMD-l. As a result,the combined value of the three resistance banks would be 1380-477 or903 ohms and drum 5l3 would rotate upon closing of switch 55! to place1431 ohms in circuit which is related to a value of 8 as shown inTabulation V.

It is of course to be understood that but a single resistance bank RMDcould be provided so that a resistance related to a given number couldbe selected and this number could be divided as above described. 1

It is of course to be understood that any number of resistance banks RMDcould be p-rovidedin series, depending upon the number of values to bemultiplied and each could be of any desired resistance value. 1

The circuits above described could readily be combined in a single unitto form a calculating machine which could multiply, divide, add andsubtract. As such combined arrangement would be obvious to one skilledin the art, in view of the disclosures herein, it will not be described.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and method, andmany apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could bemade without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Equipment for rating objects according to volume, comprising circuitcontrol means responsive to the respective dimensions of an object beingrated, a resistance bank under control of each of the respective controlmeans, said resistance banks being connected in series and each havingresistances thereon oi ohmic values which are functions of thelogarithms of a sequence of numerical values, said control means beingdesigned to tap ofi resistance from the associated resistance bank whichis a function of the loga rithm of a particular numerical value relatedto a particular dimension of such object, an indi cating device having aresistance bank associated therewith and connected in series with saidfirst named resistance banks, a balancing resistance of predeterminedvalue, a Wheatstone bridge circuit, said resistance banks forming onearm of said bridge and said balancing resistance forming another armthereof, means to tap oii resistance of such value from said secondnamed resistance bank, that the sum of said tapped ofl resistance andthe first named resistance banks for a given volume is equal to thevalue of said balancing resistance, means responsive to the currents insaid resistance banks and said balancing resistance to actuate saidtapping means, said tapped ofi resistance having a calibrationassociated therewith to indicate its related numerical value which isequal to the volume 01 the object.

